Anti-gun letter was baseless appeal to emotions

Published: Monday, February 4, 2013 at 08:00 AM.

The letter entitled “Show compassion for the Children” (Free-for-All, Jan. 26) is offensive. The writer shamefully capitalizes on the horrific tragedy of Sandy Hook, in which innocent children were mercilessly murdered, to promote her myopic view of gun control. She attempts to strengthen her position by graphically describing the horrible wound one small victim received.

This despicable approach notwithstanding, she goes further by accusing those holding opposing views of being cold-hearted and lacking in common sense. I submit that opponents of Second Amendment infringement are not the ones lacking in common sense and the heinous accusation of being non-caring goes far beyond the bounds of acceptability.

The writer states, “The Second Amendment is going nowhere” — whatever that means. “Sensible gun owners know that; even they agree that assault weapons and magazine clips of huge capacity should be banned.” This is blatantly untrue. “Sensible” gun owners understand and appreciate the necessity of having at least equal firepower when facing an enemy intent on killing, stealing or inflicting body harm.

Again, the writer displays her firm command of naïveté by stating, “Assault weapons are not needed for home protection; any rational person knows that.” So who is “rational” in the writer’s mind? Dianne Feinstein? Chuck Schumer? Perhaps the writer prefers inviting a perpetrator in for a nice chat over a cup of hot tea.

Assault weapons must be available to good, law-abiding citizens because the bad guys have them and will use them without a second thought. Banning that type of weapon from responsible citizens makes it easier for criminals to do just that.

The writer continues: “President Obama has the responsibility to protect all Americans and I applaud him for signing executive orders to start this process.” How hypocritical of a president to ban guns from the average citizen in order to inexplicably protect children from criminals who have guns, but to do nothing to prevent multiple thousands of babies from being murdered each year by way of abortion. How’s that for common sense and compassion?

WES HARPER Lynn Haven

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The letter entitled “Show compassion for the Children” (Free-for-All, Jan. 26) is offensive. The writer shamefully capitalizes on the horrific tragedy of Sandy Hook, in which innocent children were mercilessly murdered, to promote her myopic view of gun control. She attempts to strengthen her position by graphically describing the horrible wound one small victim received.

This despicable approach notwithstanding, she goes further by accusing those holding opposing views of being cold-hearted and lacking in common sense. I submit that opponents of Second Amendment infringement are not the ones lacking in common sense and the heinous accusation of being non-caring goes far beyond the bounds of acceptability.

The writer states, “The Second Amendment is going nowhere” — whatever that means. “Sensible gun owners know that; even they agree that assault weapons and magazine clips of huge capacity should be banned.” This is blatantly untrue. “Sensible” gun owners understand and appreciate the necessity of having at least equal firepower when facing an enemy intent on killing, stealing or inflicting body harm.

Again, the writer displays her firm command of naïveté by stating, “Assault weapons are not needed for home protection; any rational person knows that.” So who is “rational” in the writer’s mind? Dianne Feinstein? Chuck Schumer? Perhaps the writer prefers inviting a perpetrator in for a nice chat over a cup of hot tea.

Assault weapons must be available to good, law-abiding citizens because the bad guys have them and will use them without a second thought. Banning that type of weapon from responsible citizens makes it easier for criminals to do just that.

The writer continues: “President Obama has the responsibility to protect all Americans and I applaud him for signing executive orders to start this process.” How hypocritical of a president to ban guns from the average citizen in order to inexplicably protect children from criminals who have guns, but to do nothing to prevent multiple thousands of babies from being murdered each year by way of abortion. How’s that for common sense and compassion?